City of Kuwait, Kuwait
Kuwait University’s Construction Program has enlisted CambridgeSeven and Gulf Consult in order to develop a 74,322 square-meter College of Life Sciences (COLS) at Sabah Al Salim Al Sabah University City, which accommodates 3,500 students and faculty, is designed to integrate art, environment, and information technology into a collaborative, interactive learning setting.
College of Life Sciences Sabah Al Salim Al Sabah University has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The building’s form, sculpted in response to extensive environmental analysis, adapts the ancient science and aesthetics of wind towers, screens, and other vernacular forms, which provide for natural ventilation, sun shading, high thermal mass, courtyards, and use of vegetation.
The twin atria provide natural ventilation and cooling by drawing warm air up to roof level through their interior conical configurations.
They form oasis-like interior courtyards that rise from ground level up through the College.
The array of diamond-shaped, perforated metal panels that cover the façade filter natural daylight and shade the interior from the harsh sun.
The color intensity of the golden structure changes with the sun’s movement throughout the day, much like the surrounding desert.
Separating solar control from thermal performance allows the exterior envelope of COLS to optimize performance. The perforated diamond-shaped panels are positioned differently for each building’s façade orientation, directing more northern light inside, while blocking the intense southern light.
The building’s energy performance is derived from traditional vernacular responses to the intense and harsh climate. The highly defensive, layered building envelope protects the interior spaces.
A double-layered roof acts as a thermal heat sink during the day and a thermal radiator by night; it extends to shade the exterior walls. It also shades the rooftop mechanical spaces and funnels air from the prevailing winds.
COLS’s exterior walls slope outward as they rise to shade and reduce solar exposure, thus reducing heat loads on the mechanical equipment.
Additional airflow is supplemented by the discharged air from the building’s mechanical systems.
A complete digitally controlled building automation system is installed to control the HVAC systems, and conserve energy when rooms are not occupied. All water fixtures conserve water and hot water heating is harnessed from the sun using rooftop solar panels.
All internal and external light fixtures are controlled through switches or dimming to provide the greatest design flexibility while maximizing energy efficiency, lamp life expectancy, and the associated heat load reductions.
The plants selected are indigenous and do not require large amounts of water. The water used for the water features is recycled, and the irrigation system uses stormwater and treated wastewater and is programmed with water-saving features that are also responsive to the seasons.
Project: College of Life Sciences Sabah Al Salim Al Sabah University
Architects: CambridgeSeven
Associate Architects: Gulf Consult
General Contractor: Al-Hani Construction & Trading in J.V with Sinohydro Corp Limited
Client: Kuwait University Construction Program
Photographers: Mohammad Ashkanani
